Vatican City: Pope Benedict XVI called for greater solidarity amongst Catholics as the world gets to grips with the global financial crisis in his traditional end-of-year message today.
"This year ended with the realisation of a growing economic and social crisis which from now on affects the entire world: a crisis which calls for more restraint and solidarity to help those people and families who have got into serious difficulties," the 81-year-old pontiff said.
"The Christian community is already working (on this)... and charitable organisations are doing their best, but everybody needs to work together," he added.
The pope will hold his traditional New Year's Day mass in St. Peter's Square on Thursday morning, which also marks the World Day of Peace.
